Wyoming Houndsmen

[Big Horn Posse]

I have a question for you Wyoming houndsmen, especially Big Horn Mountains area houndsmen. How would you feel if Wyoming did away with the unlimited areas and went back to the way it used to be with a mortality quota? Also would you like having our female mortality quotas back? I have noticed a huge difference in the lack of the amount of lion around now compared to how it was when we had a quota in this area. I want to know your thoughts on this.

[poser]

Tessa, the university of utah is doing a study on the mountain lion in the big horn national rec area right now. I know that they have quite a few lions collared and the information they are recovering is pretty interesting.

The lion up there seem to cover alot of ground in a 24 hour period.... might be tough getting on the short end of the track.

Take care, jason

[Big Horn Posse]

Jason, That is the Big Horn Canyon Recreational area on the Big Horn river way on the north western side near the base of the mountain up near the MT border. That area is not hunted as much by houndsmen like the eastern slope of the Big Horn Mountains. That area also has a quota and season which it closes March 31. Unlike the area I am in with an unlimited amount of lion and no season. A study there is not going to teach us anything we don't already know about lions and what affect the unlimited quotas are doing to the lion populations here on the southern end. From what I've heard there was only a few cats involved in that study. Now, I don't even know if this is an official study or not because I had a friend ask someone at USU that knows of whats going on and they said the only lion study going on in WY is in the Prior Mountains. The WG&F in Sheridan are not aware of it and said they would have to apply for permits to do such a study. I don't know, but I am not going to put much stake in a lion study in Lovell that may or may not be an official study.

I still would like to hear from our Wyoming guys and see what your thoughts are on getting a quota back in out unlimited areas.

[poser]

Tessa, that is the area that you are talking about... and yes i can assure you there is a study going on.

My point was that they have collared quite a few, not just a couple of lion in that area and they move a long ways....all over montana and wyoming. So weather or not its a closed season or a quota the same lion are moving through the areas.

Any study that is done is educational if you will take the time to listen and learn instead of argueing about what everyone thinks is going on.

Take care, jason

[switzie]

poser, you are right they are doing a study in that area trying to find out what kind of impact on what the lion's are having on the sheep and wild horse's. Thay started in Jan. as of May 13 thay have collard 3 lions and hope to collar at least 2 more. Thay have found 3 kills so far 1 mule deer,2coyotes.

[chancemarquette]

theres a reason why some areas have quotas and some dont, look at the areas with quotas here they get pounded, area six had 21 cats killed out of it this year, most of the unlimited areas are unlimited to encourage hunters to hunt different areas IMO. and if they put quotas back in place you wouldnt be doin much dry ground hunting ever think of that?

[Big Horn Posse]

Chance,
well way back before you were even old enough to hunt things used to be different. We had a quota of 15 and this area was still open year round. Same with Ten Sleep. The quota wouldn't fill very often and we could still run our dogs all year round. Switzie and a few other of the original Big Horn mountain houndsmen can tell you how it was. I miss those days and how good it was. Switzie remember my mountain summer camps above Ten Sleep and Buffalo. Those were good times. Guess there are more houndsmen hunting and killing in this area now. I guess things change, but I remember how it was and seeing how it is now frustrates me.

[chancemarquette]

that must of been before i was born because i dont ever remember there being seasons opened year around till three years ago

[Big Horn Posse]

Well, Chance it has always been that way in areas 15, 22, and 27. The regulations read hunting season Sept 1st -Aug 31st. If the quotas in those areas didn't fill we could hunt all year.

[Big Horn Posse]

Kinda dissapointing more of you Wyoming houndsmen have no thoughts on this? I really would like to know what you think and why.

[houndcrzy]

Tessa how many female lions would you guess have bin killed within 60 miles of kaycee in the last 3 years???

[Big Horn Posse]

Well I saw the 2010 harvest reports from Sept to Dec and they had a few. I can get that information for you and get back to you.

[kaycee cat hunter]

Tessa how many female lions would you guess have bin killed within 60 miles of kaycee in the last 3 years???

im really curouse about this to tessa i looked but didnt find anything

[kaycee cat hunter]

Kinda dissapointing more of you Wyoming houndsmen have no thoughts on this? I really would like to know what you think and why.

id like to see it go back to a qwota system

[Big Horn Posse]

KCH,
I'm glad you think so too. When Sandy get's back I would like to talk to you guys about a few things.